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The village of Box is uniquely situated at a Gateway to the Cotswolds National Landscape, on the historic Great Western Railway line and Great West Way, stretching along the beautiful By Brook valley only 5 miles east of the World Heritage City of Bath. Located in the rural county of Wiltshire, Box offers a place to stay, visit, enjoy, and relax in stunning surroundings, allowing opportunity to step back in time through its cultural heritage.
The area has been settled since Neolithic times. Box Roman villa is a Scheduled Monument, and a Roman Road forms the southern boundary of the Parish. The Parish contains many buildings of national importance. Grade I and II*, of outstanding importance, such as Box and Middle Hill Tunnel Portals, Drewetts Mill, Hazelbury Manor, Rudloe Manor, and the Churches of St Thomas a Becket in Box and St Christopher’s Church in Ditteridge. Grade II, buildings include such properties as Box School and the Poynder Fountain. The Parish has four Conservation Areas, areas of special architectural and historic importance, at Box, Ditteridge, Middle Hill, and Ashley.
Historic Box Mill was bought by Peter Gabriel in the 1980s and converted into his international renowned Real World recording studios. Notable artists who have recorded at the studios include Robert Plant, Deep Purple, Harry Styles, Coldplay, and Tom Jones, and it is the headquarters of WOMAD.
Box is probably best known for its Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway tunnel and quarried stone. Views of Box Tunnel combine with his Road Bridge and magnificent Middle Hill Tunnel to celebrate a wonder of the Victorian age and one of the finest views of a historic railway line in the country.
Box also lays claims to being the birthplace of Thomas the Tank Engine as the popular children’s entertainment character was conceived by Rev. W.V Awdry when he lived in Box.
Hillside and underground quarries provided stone not only for the honey-coloured historic buildings in the area but fine country houses such as Longleat and Lacock Abbey, properties in Bath, London and exported around the world. A quarryman’s village grew up on Box Hill, the ‘Hill of Stone ‘, with stone yards, shops, cottages for workers, pubs, and Methodist Chapel. Box was famous for Box Ground Stone, a durable stone. http://www.boxpeopleandplaces.co.uk/ has a wealth of information on the village.
Box Recreation Ground offers a children’s playground, football ground, bowling green and tennis courts. It has thriving men’s and women’s cricket teams who play on the cricket pitch which WC Grace graced. A Rock Circus, a magnificent circle of rocks fossils and minerals, forms the centre piece of the village. Lovar Garden, adjacent, with its pond and bog garden is a haven for wildlife and a habitat for flora and fauna.
Kingsdown Golf Club, founded in 1880, is the second oldest Golf Club in the West of England (behind Westward Ho!) and a popular destination for golfers of all abilities.
The Parish has over 100 Public Rights of Way making it a hugely popular destination for people looking to explore the glorious English countryside. Long distance footpaths The MacMillan Way and Cross Cotswolds Path cross the Parish. The Box Heritage Trail a circular walk of 4.5 miles offers magnificent views of the By Brook Valley and details of quarrying, milling and Brunel’s Great Western Railway. Footpaths and bridleways pass through Commons, woods, and meadows, areas of significant habitat value for our native species of wildlife, which in some areas have been improved with tree and hedge planting. Box Common at the top of Box Hill is an example of one of the splendid viewpoints around the Parish.
A range of walking maps give details of the paths, suggested routes, and points of historical interest including https://corshamwalkingfestival.org.uk/heritage-trails/
A variety of pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops can be found in the area, with plenty of places to stay locally from cosy B&Bs to 5 Star hotels. The village has even got its own airfield!
Box Revels which takes place every end of May Bank holiday commenced life as a medieval celebration of the patronal day of St Thomas à Becket. Box Revels has had a lot of in-carnations since then and each year brings different themes and ideas, but the two purposes remain the same; to bring together the whole demographic of the village in fun and entertainment, and to raise funds for community groups and projects.
Number of results: 185
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Devizes
Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes, Wiltshire offers a comprehensive range of classes that can be found on our website plus bespoke sessions for groups and corporate team building & away days. All are hands-on, creative and inspirational.…
Hungerford
“The Rose of Hungerford” is a purpose built 55 feet long wide-beamed passenger trip boat owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and has a maximum capacity of 50 passengers which is available for public trips and charters.
Windsor
Explore Windsor on this captivating road and river adventure. Beginning in the heart of Windsor, viewing the must see sights before splashing down into the River Thames. All the while entertained by our knowledgeable and humorous live guides. If…
Stapleton, Bristol
Glenside Hospital Museum is located within the grounds of the old hospital, it aims to inform, educate and de-stigmatise mental illness and learning difficulties.
Housed in the original hospital chapel, a Grade II listed building, Glenside Hospital…
The Reddings, Cheltenham
Compass Holidays specialise in walking, cycling and activity short breaks and holidays in a variety of Great West Way destinations. Unique and active tours with Compass Holidays allows you to get under the skin of the history, culture and natural…
Bradford on Avon
Wiltshire Music Centre is a purpose-built, 300-seat concert hall which attracts internationally-renowned musicians, including the City of London Sinfonia, jazz legend Courtney Pine and famed guitarist John Williams. It hosts more than 90 concerts a y
Reading
The Thames Lido is an urban retreat open all year round offering spa days and swimming memberships along with a strong Spanish and Mediterranean feel restaurant and tapas bar.
Bristol
Smoke & Mirrors is the UK's only Boutique Magic Theatre & Pub. They are situated in the heart of the theatre district. This little entertainment bar currently rated in the number 1 things to do in Bristol via TripAdvisor.
Whitchurch
The oldest working silk mill in the UK still in its original building. A gem of industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire, Whitchurch Silk Mill is a Georgian water mill that weaves silk using 19th century machinery.
Bath
In the heart of the city, Thermae Bath Spa is an award-winning Natural Spa where you can now bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago.
Bradford on Avon
Based at Bradford on Avon Wharf, 400 yards from the town centre and only a few steps from the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust's Tea Room, the 65ft Barbara McLellan wide beam is perfectly suited for leisure passengers with 40 seated at tables and a fully…
Wapping Road, Bristol
In 1497 John Cabot set sail from Bristol to find a new trade route to Asia. Instead, he arrived in Newfoundland and therefore became the original discoverer of North America. To celebrate the quincentenary of this voyage, a replica Matthew was built…
Bradford on Avon
Week and day hire, skippered cruises and canoe hire.
Tetbury
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum managed by Forestry England, is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees.
Devizes
English vineyard offering a range of red and white wines. Tours by arrangement. Tastings and walks round our 20 acre site.
Bristol
Take a day outside of Bristol and spend a day with the Big Zoo Animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm home to Rhinos, Lions and Giraffes and now Elephants.
Bristol
Explore Bristol's Harbourside by ferry, go on a trip with friends or colleagues, or simply get from A to B without worrying about traffic
Bath
Experience critically acclaimed exhibitions of historical and contemporary
art and events against a backdrop of renowned eighteenth century portraits, Renaissance bronzes, ceramics, silver and embroidery. The Garden Café serves fresh seasonal…
Newbury
Internationally recognised theatre set in Bagnor, Newbury which hosts up to 220 people.
London
The London Wetland Centre is an award winning nature reserve, one of the 21st century's greatest urban conservation projects. The centre provides a safe haven for a wide range of wildlife and deliver a slice of the Great British countryside to the…
Reading
Classical 18thC house by John Carr of York, with an unusual Octagon Room, fine plasterwork and the decorative Shell Room. Situated in 400 acres of parkland and woodland.
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